Life’s WORC named one of ‘50 Most Engaged Workplaces’

Life’s WORC, a private, nonprofit organization offering care for people with developmental disabilities in Queens and Long Island, was recently awarded a spot on the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces Award for 2012.

The Achievers is a company that provides reward and recognition software to organizations to use as a more modern means of employee incentives. According to Achievers’ website, the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces Award is presented to companies that exude leadership and originality in connecting with employees.

A panel of judges made up of executives from various companies based its decisions on Achievers’ “Eight Elements of Employee Engagement,” which include communication, leadership, culture, rewards and recognition, professional and personal growth, accountability and performance, vision and values and corporate social responsibility. Life’s WORC, along with the 49 other Most Engaged Workplaces were honored at a ceremony on October 25 in San Francisco.

Life’s WORC was started by Queens Courier publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis in 1970s in part as a response to the exposure of the abusive practices of the Willowbrook State School in 1971. With a mission to provide productive services to people with developmental disabilities, the organization went on to establish a number of programs. Its residential services offer individual and group homes along with 24-hour staff support every day of the year. Its community services include support provision and skills training to over 1,000 children and adults who live independently or with their families. Additionally, the organization’s clinicians provide occupational, physical and speech therapy, implementing psychology, nursing, and adaptive equipment technology. Life’s WORC also partners with other therapy and habitation organizations in Queens and Long Island.

This is the third time Life’s WORC has been acknowledged for employee engagement. In 2009, it made the Crain’s New York Business list of the “Best Places to Work in New York City” and the Society of Human Resource Management’s list of “Best Companies to Work for in New York.”